In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Ondrea about her work as a substance use disorder registered nurse and how she found her way into this specialty through mental health nursing. After years in different nursing roles, she discovered that working with patients receiving treatment for substance use disorders became one of the most rewarding paths in her career.

Ondrea shares what a typical day looks like in an outpatient clinic, including patient assessments, vitals, drug screenings, injections, medication-assisted treatment inductions, follow-up calls, education, and harm reduction. She also explains the importance of working within a close interdisciplinary team to support patients who often have both substance use and mental health needs.

We also talk about how nurses can enter this field, where these roles can be found, what certifications may help, and how this specialty offers room for growth into leadership, care coordination, and other mental health roles. Ondrea’s passion for this work comes through clearly as she describes the life-changing impact nurses can have in this area of care.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• How substance use disorder nursing blends education, treatment, and harm reduction.
• Why this work can be one of the most rewarding areas in nursing.
• How nurses can get started in this specialty and continue to grow in it.

About My Guest: Ondrea is a substance use disorder registered nurse who works in an outpatient clinic supporting patients receiving medication-assisted treatment. With 18 years of nursing experience and a background in emergency and mental health nursing, she brings both compassion and insight to this growing specialty. She is passionate about helping patients feel supported without stigma and wants more nurses to consider this rewarding path.

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